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The Benefits of Buying "Made in America"

Patriotic symbols abound from California to the New York Island. Americans eat apple pie, sing the National Anthem at baseball games and visit the Statue of Liberty. They also demonstrate "American pride" by making certain choices as consumers. First and foremost, consumers seek the best product at the best price. Country of origin is often an afterthought; only one in five Americans seriously considers it when making buying decisions, says America's Research Group. The reality is that Americans probably underestimate the value of their buying decisions and how they can affect the nation's economy and future.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, the "Made in USA" standard means that "all or virtually all" of the product was made in the United States. Only automobiles, textiles and wool products are required to display the country of origin.

Who's Affected?

One sector increasingly affected by the "Made in USA" mantra is domestic manufacturing, especially with the outsourcing of jobs to China, India and other countries. Intense competition drives down product prices, while American manufacturers balance higher operating expenses including labor and health care. In fact, manufacturing jobs typically pay 23 percent more than other economic sectors, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.This contributes to the 22 percent higher price tag of doing business in the United States, which almost equals the total cost of production in China, says a study by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) / Manufacturers Alliance.

Ultimately, this affects U.S. jobs, export potential and even research and development. During the recession of the early 2000s, more than 3 million manufacturing jobs were lost.

Good News!

The good news is that American consumers hold some power.

"Although more things are made in America today than ever before, U.S. manufacturing faces some stiff challenges. Consumers can support manufacturing through their purchasing decisions."

Elevated operating costs often force a higher price point for "Made in USA" products, so manufacturers differentiate themselves with superior quality and craftsmanship, aggressive investment in emerging technology and even less tangible benefits such as comprehensive employee-enrichment and recognition programs. Customers receive the highest-quality products on the market today; but they also know the product or service was made by highly skilled professionals whose jobs signify much more than just a manufacturing plant in small-town America. Buying products that are "Made in America" may be the most impactful acts of patriotism, just ahead of eating Apple Pie...